Hand washing question

[Papercutz]

Can someone explain the rationale for using paper towels to turn on the faucet before washing? Is this every agency's policy?

[carwin]

People wipe themselves, then turn on the faucet! That vision is explanation enough.

[anticoagulationurse]

Before washing? I have not heard of that. I might do that if the faucet was really really nasty like some are, and to pour the soap onto my hands too, but not as a matter of routine.

[carwin]

My nursing friends, we should also wash our hands BEFORE using the bathroom.

[anticoagulationurse]

Before using the bathroom (is that in your company policy too?): Depends on where my hands have been and what I am doing in the bathroom. Mostly, I never actually touch myself with my hands while using the bathroom, thus with a cushion of Charmin my parts are protected from my hands and visa-versa.

[Papercutz]

I understand what carwin says; but sounds like this is not a universal policy. I've been searcing the CDC website and others looking for this specifically and don't see it. Of course it talks about handwashing as a standard precaution, but nothing about turning the faucet on with a paper towel. If anyone has a reference i'd love to see it.

[carwin]

No this is not a universal policY but something an infection control nurse told me when I first started nursing m it makes good sense to me.

[elkpark]

I've never, anywhere, heard anything about using a paper towel to turn the faucet on for handwashing -- only to turn the faucet off when you're done, to avoid recontaminating your hand.

[Luv2care0907]

I don't fully trust handwashing either even though I use it frequently. I use gloves and those hand sanitizers more frequently.

[Gingilly]

Its not policy at my facility but I wash before I use restroom and afterwards and use a paper towel to turn the faucet. My first teacher taught me this and I've stuck to it for years. With Cdiff and mrsa running around I do all I can to protect myself. I also use antibacterial hand wipes instead of the sanitizing gel because I want the friction that hand rubbing cant give as easily.

Jen

[carwin]

Think about, if we as nurses have not heard about many of these tips, then what about the general public that doesn't have nearly the knowledge of infection as we shouild have? People use the bathroom and if they choose to wash their hands, they turn on the faucet with bare hands. Not everyone has a whole cushion of Charmin in hand as they wipe. I don't want to touch touch my own waste, much less anyone else's.

[iwanna]

I think they should have the clorox sanitizers in bathrooms like they do in grocery stores for the carts. And, the faucets should be sanitized after use.

This was something that I always thought about in touching the faucet handles. I think using the paper towels is okay, but I prefer the sanitizer wipes.

Another thing that always grossed me out was bar soap. TG for the invention of liquid soap. Oh, and how about the hands touching the soap dispenser, Oops, better quit, I am getting too OCD here.lol

I prefer hand washing to the sanitizers, as my skin is super sensitive. My hands get chapped if I use them.